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Asian Games Silver Medalist Matsumura Appears at Press Conference Following Return to Japan

http://www.ktn.co.jp/news/2014/10/%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A%E9%99%B8%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%A7%E9%8A%80%E3%81%AE%E6%9D%BE%E6%9D%91%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E3%81%8C%E4%BC%9A%E8%A6%8B.php

translated by Brett Larner

The silver medal winner in the Asian Games men's marathon that took place Oct. 3 in Incheon, South Korea, Kohei Matsumura (Team Mitsubishi Juko Nagasaki) took part in a press conference Oct.6 at Mitsubishi Juko Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works following his return to Japan.

Speaking three days after the Asian Games race where he was the top Japanese finisher and won the silver medal, Matsumura said, "More than happiness the main thing I feel is disappointment," the 1-second margin between him and gold at the forefront of his mind.  "I was targeting the win, so even when I actually received the medal at the ceremony I only felt disappointment.  As time goes by that feeling is only getting stronger, to my disappointment."

The Asian Games were Matsumura's first time racing with the Rising Sun on his singlet.  The race came down to a gripping track finish, with Matsumura finishing in 2:12:39 just a single second behind the winner.  Looking at his performance Matsumura commented, "In terms of the result there was only a second between us, but in many different senses it was a massive second.  A crucial difference between us, that second."

Matsumura indicated that he felt a lack of experience and a difference in ability with the winner in this race, but he also said that he thought he had tried seriously enough and had had enough confidence.  He is already thinking about his next main event, setting the Rio de Janeiro Olympics down firmly as his goal as he told the crowd at the press conference, "The Olympics have always been my aim and I think Rio will be my best chance, so I want to set my sights on putting out the best results I can and do my best in the time left until then."

Comments

Metts said…
A little related: RT article on " State of US marathon." UMMMM no mention of the depth of Japanese marathoning but mentions Africa of course in the article.

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